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************ Topic 4 Thu Jun 16, 1994 E.BOURDON1 [C128-Eddie] (Forwarded) Sub: 1581 alphabetizer Looking for.... 9 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 1 Thu Jun 16, 1994 E.BOURDON1 [C128-Eddie] (Forwarded) I am looking for a 1581 directory alphabetizer. I have 2 already, but they don't do the job. Where I am having trouble is that there are too many files on my disks for most sort programs to handle, and they usually wind up crashing. I even tried CMD's all drive sort program, and it too stopped after so many files. I am not over the maximum amount of files on the drive (As I can view the whole directory). Any help is appreciated. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 2 Thu Jun 16, 1994 CBM-ED [e.g.bell] (Forwarded) I sold a very nice program to LoadStar last year called Magic 128. It does a *LOT* more than sort... Manipulate files, insert dividers, sort by name or file type, sort blocks of filenames, move blocks of filenames (or single filename moves, which is what I actually meant when I said manipulate files') etc. Of the only other such program that does any of these functions, mine is the nicer as it handles all 296 files, including on partitions. Contact LoadStar. You may be able to get an old issue of their disk/mag. This program will do everything you want done and a LOT more. ;) ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 3 Thu Jun 16, 1994 THE.OUTLAW (Forwarded) You can also try Omega Q II. It will not only alphabetize, but will save it to your disk that way if so desired. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 4 Thu Jun 16, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) Check online for the latest version of DEDIT (either 64 or 128, depending on what machine you're using). But you might just have some obscure directory entry on that disk which is causing the programs to choke... ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 5 Wed Jun 29, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 00:17 EDT A slight variation on this question is, are there any alphabatizers which will allow you to alphabatize upper case when you're in upper/lower case mode. Dedit will do it, but there's no way to go to lower case mode to be able to read the text for custom edits. It would be nice if one was available that would allow it as my BBS uses many files which have uppercase lettering in the filename. Doc. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 6 Wed Jun 29, 1994 CBM-ED [e.g.bell] at 03:40 EDT Why would the mode you are in have any effect? That doesn't change the ASCII values of the letters. Magic 128 will do either, tho this may not be what you meant. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 7 Wed Jun 29, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 23:10 EDT The problem isn't in the sorting its in the reading. The Dedit program only displays in uppercase and in that mode shift letters are all graphic symbols which make it difficult to manually sort what you can't read. Doc. ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 8 Tue Sep 13, 1994 R.HARRIS1 [Randy Harris] at 22:51 EDT The one I've used with the most ease, (although Ed's sounds great!) is The Servant. The Disk Tools Section of The Servant has some of the most useful tools, especially when working with C= 41,71, and 81 drives. It is available for downloading here on GEnie. I believe the file names are: svnt484a.sfx, svnt484b.sfx, svnt484c.sfx, & svnt484d.sfx Although The Servant is only one program, and works best when put on an EPROM (for the 128), it comes with loads of other useful programs and doc files! Randy Harris :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 4 Message 9 Wed Sep 14, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] at 03:21 EDT My only disappointment is the guy who wrote it has now gone PC. This isn't exactly a new story in the world of Commodore, but it is certainly a sad one. Doc. ------------ 3 | ************ Topic 7 Mon Apr 11, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) Sub: looking for a good spreadsheet ... Looking for a good spreadsheet for the 128! 60 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 1 Mon Apr 11, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) I am looking for a good spreadsheet program (not geos) for the 128. It needs to be simple and fast and compatible with Ramlink. To give an example of a spreadsheet that I have used for years with the 64 is a program called SPEED CALC. This a very powerful and fast spreadsheet and hopefully I can find one for the 128 that is equal or better. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 2 Thu Apr 14, 1994 MRABOY (Forwarded) If you can get a copy multiplan works great with ramlink. It is fast and the most powerful spreadsheet ever written for c64 or 128. It allows the largest spreadsheet in memory and links sheets. I have tried many others and they don't measure up Mike Raboy :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 3 Thu Apr 14, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) Thanks Mike... I will look into Multi Plan... Someone out there probably still sells it... Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 4 Fri Apr 15, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) Actually, it was discontinued a while ago. You have to find a used copy. :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 5 Tue Apr 19, 1994 R.KING53 [Ron] (Forwarded) Actually Multiplan is still listed in the last Software Support International catalog! 800-356-1179, 6am-5pm Pacific Time. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 6 Tue Apr 19, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) I found that multiplan is still being offered, but only n the 64 version. Actually, Multiplan is probably way more of a spread sheet than I really need. I don7t want bells and whistles on my spreadsheet. I just need a GOOD- FAST spreadsheet for the 128. GeoCalc is really a nice spreadsheet but for some reason, and I have tried 3 separate copies, it will not work when my Ram Link is engaged! So, anybody out there no of a good/fast (not to mention, RELIABLE) spreadsheet I am all ears... Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 7 Wed Apr 20, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) Unless you can find a copy of SwiftCalc 128, you're probably going to be heading for 64 mode... ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 8 Wed Apr 20, 1994 C.EFTHIMIOU [brat] (Forwarded) I have the swiftCalc 128 prg if u want me to make a copy let me know. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 9 Thu Apr 21, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) SwiftCalc 128 is a commercial program. It is illegal to make a copy to give to someone else. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 10 Thu Apr 21, 1994 M.RANDALL2 [Maurice] (Forwarded) By the way, speaking of SwiftCalc 128. Perhaps someone else has already done this or posted the info on it, but I have figured out how to make SwiftCalc bootable from drives other than a 1541/1571. By changing just one byte in the boot file, it can be run from any type of drive, including any of the CMD devices and any type of partition. I will look at my copy of the program and see what it was that I did and then post the info here when I log on the next time. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 11 Thu Apr 21, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) I think CMD should look into getting A good spreadsheet program to sell (besides GEOCALC). I always look at GeoCalc like a Big ol' Bubble that will burst into oblivion the second you think you got it right. ---- M.Randall> yes, please post the Byte to change on that boot file of Swiftcalc, so that the masses can use in on their other drives. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 12 Fri Apr 22, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) We currently sell SwiftCalc 64, PowerPlan 64, and Pocket Planner in addition to geoCalc 64 & geoCalc 128. We dropped Busicalc due to lack of sales. About the only other spreadsheet left available is Calc II, which we may be adding soon. Everything else is currently unavailable from distribution. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 13 Fri Apr 22, 1994 GEOS-TIM (Forwarded) As a GEOS lover, I use my GEOCALC for most of my needs. I have never had any problems with it. In fact, that's what I do my state income tax returns with. I don't think it would be good for someone who has big spreadsheets, just because it starts calculating as soon as you add new figures, and could take a good chunk of time. For the average user, however, it is easy to use, and is comptible with all the GEOS programs. -:) -Tim PS This was in response to message 11. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 14 Fri Apr 22, 1994 M.RANDALL2 [Maurice] (Forwarded) OK, here's the scoop on how to make your SwiftCalc 128 compatible with any type of drive: First start by formatting a fresh disk, or partition on your CMD device. Then filecopy all of the files from your SwiftCalc disk to the new disk or partition. You must use a filecopier for this, not a whole disk copier. The next step is the trickiest part if you are not familiar with using a sector editor. If not, then you should learn how, because at least us Commodore users are allowed to mess with our disks and files unlike other systems. Anyway, find the directory entry for the file called 'scmain'. The directory will begin on the following tracks and sectors: 1541/1571 Track 18, Sector 1 1581 Track 40, Sector 3 CMD Ntv Track 1, Sector 34 Once you have found the directory entry, the two bytes just ahead of the filename is the track and sector pointer to the first block of this file. Load this block into your sector editor. Now all you have to do is change one byte and then resave this block. The byte to change is in position 44 (hex $2c), counting the first byte as position 0. Change this byte to a 63 (hex $3f). What this does is it causes SwiftCalc to ignore checking that it is booting from it's original disk. The original disk has a goofed up header block where the disk name is stored, a very simple copy protection. Now all you have to do is boot"sc" to get the program up and running. One thing you may wish to do before copying the files to the new disk is to use an autoboot editor to install a boot sector on the disk that will boot the file called 'sc'. Or you can use your sector editor to copy track 1, sector 0 from the original disk to the new disk also. The only problem with doing it this way is that the boot sector does not get allocated in the bam and could get overwritten later on. CMD's FCOPY program will also do this for you and allocate the sector at the same time. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 15 Fri Apr 22, 1994 R.KING53 [Ron] (Forwarded) GEOS-Tim: Yeah the "instant recalculation" feature in GeoCalc is what stopped me from using it! It's too bad there can't be a desk accesory or patch or something to let you turn the recalculation to "manual" until all your figures are entered. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 16 Fri Apr 22, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) Maurice... thanks for the information on Changing the program Swiftcalc to be compatible with are other drives... Now if I ever get ahold of a copy I will be able to make it work from the RamLink. . . GeoCalc... Don't get me wrong. I have found the program to be one of the best spreadsheets I have ever seen (with exception of the auto/recalculation). Only Problem I have with it is that It will NOT run ON MY SYSTEM! At least when my RamLink is engaged. And then It only screws up after I cut and paste. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 17 Sat Apr 23, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) GeosTim.. speaking of GeoCalc... do you use your Geos System off a RamLink? If you do and you don't experience any problems ith it then I would suspect that my System here has some minor problems That effect the operation of GeoCalc and also GeoSpell... Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 18 Sun Apr 24, 1994 GEOS-TIM (Forwarded) Bob.... You caught me. Yes, I do use Ramlink, and come to think of it I believe I got my copy of GeoCalc after I got my RamLink. My guess is that you are right about your system. If it is a hardware problem,E.Harvey our new host on Thursday nights from 10 to 1 am EST may be able to help you pin point the problem. Earl has been helping Commodore users for a long time, so he has all that expertise to back him up. :) -Tim ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 19 Mon Apr 25, 1994 H.HERMAN1 (Forwarded) Bob, Has anyone suggested Digital Solutions' Pocket Planner 2? A very easy to use sheet, loaded with features. Howie ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 20 Mon Apr 25, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) pocket planner? I have one of there old word processor program. I like the way they do the layout... only prob was that the on that word processor you have to load it from an old 1541 disk.. its loaded with protection. I would assume that the spread sheet would be also. thanks for the info. bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 21 Mon Apr 25, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) > B.MASSE > I am looking for a good spreadsheet program (not geos) for the 128. > It needs to be simple and fast and compatible with Ramlink. I use SwiftCalc 128 by Timeworks. You can only buy it used now, but it is worth seeking out in my opinion. JBEE (: ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 22 Mon Apr 25, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) Jbee... thanks for the info. I will get swiftcalc one way or another. I already have swiftcalc 64. It is a good program. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 23 Sun May 01, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) I have heard that Software Support International's supply of Multiplan is for the 64 and 80 column C128. Give them a call to confirm it. A BIG feature of Multiplan: The ability to convert spreadsheet files directly into Lotus 1-2-3 format (*.DIF). I'm going on HEARSAY, mind you, I have SwiftCalc 128. Maurice, thanks for the boot fix trick! I plan on trying it soon. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 24 Sun May 01, 1994 B.MASSE (Forwarded) L.SCHONDER says.......[C128.LOU] I have heard that Software Support International's supply of Multiplan is for the 64 and 80 column C128. Give them a call to confirm it. A BIG feature of Multiplan: The ability to convert spreadsheet files directly into Lotus 1-2-3 format (*.DIF). Bob says... I called SSI about a week ago and they have sold out on there copies of multiplan. Darn it all... ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 25 Mon May 02, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Looks like Doug may be right. You might have to use 64 mode. Calc II is supposed to be a quick spreadsheet for the 64, I hear. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 26 Sun May 08, 1994 MRABOY (Forwarded) I have multiplan 128 and it is the best spreadsheet for the 128 that I haveseen. If the program is no longer in existence then why can't we provide copies for people who still wan't to use it? Mike :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 27 Sun May 08, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) Because regardless of whether the product is still available or not, somebody STILL owns the copyright - and it's still illegal to distribute copyrighted materials without permission from the copyright holder. Whether we like it or not, it's the law. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 28 Sun May 08, 1994 R.KING53 [Ron] (Forwarded) I heard some good things said about Timeworks CALC 128 so I made a call and the first place (The Computer Bargain Store) had a new one on the shelf for $25. There's still a lot of "new" software out there if you look around! ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 29 Mon May 09, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) There is no telling when the program might be resold to someone else or the code reused in another product. The author also has the right to decide if they want the product distributed or not, it is their property, not ours. You buy the right to use it, nothing more or less, usually. I know on the Timeworks 128 spreadsheet there were at least two different authors, each retained their right to their code and routine libraries. So, there are no easy answers, except if you really want to buy a product bad enough, you find ways to do it and you find out who owns the rights to the products. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 30 Mon May 09, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) This is gettin' hairy! I'm going to start looking harder at garage sales!!! Good luck in your search! :D ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 31 Sat May 28, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] (Forwarded) Welp... I finally found a decent spreadsheet for the 128. It is great. Everythin I wanted is there plus. It is called Planners choice and it really does the job. I guess we can close this room now..... I want to thank everyone for their help. (especially Mr Engstrom who got me the info on how to get the darn thing loaded on the RL.) Bob Masse ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 32 Sun May 29, 1994 MRABOY (Forwarded) tell us more about Planners Choice and where do you get it. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 33 Sun May 29, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] (Forwarded) cat3, Topic 35 >Tell us more about Planners Choice and where do you get it. Planners choice... Purchased from SoftWare Support International #1-800-356-1179 Price $24.97 + shipping This is actually a trio of boxed programs that include Writers choice, Filers choice, and Planners choice. Writers choice sucks eggs. Filers choice looks fairly good. Planners choice is great. All three of these programs will function on either the 64 or 128 and support both 40 col screens and 80 col screens. Very Versatile. There is copy protection on these disks that you must use Maverick on to beat. This allows you to disk copy the program onto the RamLink 1571 partition. In 128 mode remember to allocate the boot sector and copy it also to the Ramlink. The spread sheet will boot off a Ramlink 1571 partition by typing BOOT,D0 also you must have the RamLink Swapped to device 8 (this is the only drive # that planners choice will recognize.) The program is very set up to be very intuitive in the command structure and takes literally no time to learn them. Only bad points I have found on the program is that for Re-calcs it will default to computing rows. I have always set up my spreadsheets in colomns. Of course once you set it for colomns it stays there for whole session. Also there is a slight bug during split screens where you can loose a chunk of data if you do a certain function (you quickly learn not to do that function). Welp, Thats my review folks.. Bob ...This is a fried egg on drugs. Any questions? ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 34 Sun May 29, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Does "Planner's Choice" import/export DIF files? Does it use RAM expander's? How are the graphs (screen & printout)? I never heard of this software group before! ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 35 Mon May 30, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] (Forwarded) >Does "Planner's Choice" import/export DIF files? Does it use RAM expander's? >How are the graphs (screen & printout)? DIF files... I don't recognize that term. But Planners Choice doesn't import its own files into another file. It can import planner files into the Writers program for printing into documents though. All three of the programs are supposed to be kind of inter-related that way. It has no graphing ability and does not recognize ram expanders. The screen is very pleasant and can be adjusted for colors which are saved with your spreadsheets as the default colors. It prints in your printers' stock font and prints in a user designated blocks of data. I really haven't done a lot of printing with it yet since the end of the month is not here yet. Then It will get the test. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 36 Mon May 30, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) A "DIF" file is a generic spreadsheet file that is importable into many popular spreadsheets, like Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, etc. If it were possible, I'd guess it would be obvious. :) Multiplan 128 can export to other spreadsheet programs. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 37 Mon May 30, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] (Forwarded) 3-35 >.A "DIF" file is a generic spreadsheet file that is importable into many >popular spreadsheets, like Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro, etc. >If it were possible, I'd guess it would be obvious. :) Multiplan 128 can >export to other spreadsheet programs. Lou.. Nope. Planners choice is limited to ONE drive and ONE partition and also limited to using files written only by the mother program. Also A spreadsheet is limited to around 64000 bytes of data. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 38 Mon May 30, 1994 J.KARN (Forwarded) A couple more observations on spreadsheets (more specifically MULITPLAN) which may be of some interest: as was pointed out in a earlier post, a MP spreadsheet can be imported into LOTUS by exporting it as a symbolic link file, although importation with the version of LOTUS I use at work is pretty clumsy. What works much better in the transfer of spreadsheet files between MULTIPLAN and EXCEL (not so surprising, perhaps, since they're both Microsoft products). All that's involved is saving the MP file as a symbolic link file (with an .SLK extension) and then copying it to an MS DOS disk with BIG BLUE READER (don't add linefeeds and use no PETASCII/ASCII conversion). To go the other way, just save the EXCEL file as an .SLK file and use the BBR to copy it to a CBM disk. The important parts of the files transfer perfectly both ways. The glitzy formatting of the EXCEL files is lost, of course, but the data, column and row headings, and all embedded calculations are transfered intact. You can also import data from a MULTIPLAN spreadsheet into CHARTPAK 128. There's a BASIC program on the CHARTPAK disk for doing this--again after first exporting the MULTIPLAN file as a symbolic link file. The procedure is described (in barely adequate detail) in Appendix D of the CHARTPAK 128 docs. (Am I the only one who finds the Teutonic logic of these Abacus programs somewhat murky?) There is one quirk you need to be aware of. The Hesware version of MULTIPLAN 64 exported symbolic link files in PETASCII (not a very good idea for transfer across platforms). The Epyx release of MULTIPLAN 128 exports them more properly as ASCII files; however, the lads at Abacus didn't catch up to this fact (at least not in the version of CHARTPAK that I've got), so their BASIC program for importing the MP symbolic link file is looking for a PETSCII file. As a consequence, you have to first convert the MP 128 .SLK file from ASCII to PETSCII. This is no problem, 'cause there are lots of utilities out there to do this (as well as nearly any Terminal program). And it does work, although for a small spreadsheet it's probably easier just as easy to enter the data into CHARTPAK from the keyboard. J.Karn ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 39 Mon May 30, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) I can not help but think that being able to pass data back and forth like this is neat :) ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 40 Thu Jun 02, 1994 L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU] (Forwarded) Thanks for the pointers, Mr. Karn! Interesting! :0 ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 41 Wed Jun 29, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] (Forwarded) My opinion of copyright has always been that if the company is too mean- spirited to sell a much needed program, then they forfeit the right to their program. Unfortunately, the lawyers in this country do not agree. Doc. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 42 Sun Jul 03, 1994 MRABOY (Forwarded) Some companies are out of business and some others don't want to bother Who cares if we make copies of a program and pass it around to two or three peole. I know its against the law. So is driving over the speed limit! Its one thing to make a couple thousand copies and start a business, but a few copies to help somebody out. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 43 Sun Jul 03, 1994 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) I care. While you may assume that making a copy of a program which is no longer available doesn't hurt anyone, that isn't really the case. For almost any program you can think of, there are still alternatives which ARE available from companies that are doing everything they can to try and support the community. When you give someone an illegal copy of a program that is no longer available, you very likely rob one of these companies of a sale of an alternative program. I, for one, don't appreciate it. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 44 Sun Jul 03, 1994 D.TUOMI [Doctor] (Forwarded) If the software still exists, I try to buy it. But, so often I've called companies who had once sold to Commodore customers and they tell me they're not selling anymore. Nor are they interested in selling anymore. It's not like I'm asking for a new product, just an old one. I for one have ordered many pieces of software from CMD. I ordered your utilities disk, different versions of HD DOS, etc. Those companies who still support Commodore's should be supported with all the sells which we can promote. But, those companies who are just sitting on their inventory for tax purposes and refuse to sell anything, or even to acknoledge that this market built their firm. They do not have my sympathies. Doc. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 45 Mon Jul 04, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) How do you know someone has not acquired the rights to the program you are about to illegally copy? Suppose I have bought the rights to some programs and have not released the information because I am not ready to sell it and someone is out making illegal copies? How does that benefit me? Though noone would go on record as saying it (for that I am sure) the general attitude at the big software companies is that Commodore User Groups were nothing more than pirate dens and if someone was not a pirate they were taught how to be. People I have talked to had the attitude that if the software was excellent it would be widely pirated in six months and if it was not then the company would be bashed to no end. So, the attitude of "the heck with them" is because at least with 10-100 million possible PC users you can still make money in spite of wide spread piracy. C= users have a rep for pirating software and for not registering shareware, hence the attitude from companies run by former software authors badly burned in the Commodore market. Look at all the software that was protected just for the US/C= users. Look at some of the most recent software that has been released with dongles or the user's name encoded into the program. Look at all the authors that left because they did not make any money though their software gets good mention on these boards even after they are gone. It just hurts the market even more by making illegal copies and does nothing to reward the people that have decided to stay and produce products. I can see the side that says "who does it hurt" but it ends up hurting someone and in the current market you have to make your own decision about "Is it is worth hurting the last remaining suppliers?". ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 46 Mon Jul 04, 1994 MRABOY (Forwarded) I understand that breaking the law will probably hurt someone, and who wants to see companies like CMD get ripped off. But this topic is about spreadsheets and I would like to know the name of a program that is for the 128 that is being currently sold and updated by the author that is in the class of multiplan. I probably purchased new as many programs as anybody and I was lucky enough to get a second hand copy of MP for the 128. It's not like we are hurting new software, there appears not to be any. This board functions to help all of us users, as well as, a vehicle for companies to sell their products. Pirating software is wrong, but helping a couple of people where there doesn't seem to be any other answer. I am a supporter of CMD and would hate to see them go. I guess we don't have an answer to this problem. Mike ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 47 Tue Jul 05, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) > I guess we don't have an answer to this problem. No we do not. Especially when you consider computer models rarely last more than ten years (more like 5) and the copyrights on the programs last 7-15x longer than the actual useful life of the computer. Like getting a modem with a ten year warranty :D ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 48 Fri Jul 08, 1994 F.OGLE [Color BBS] (Forwarded) The author bears some responsibility too - Copy protection made hackers out of many "regular guys" who wanted nothing more than to back their disks up (I wish I had a backup copy of some of the disks I lost/trashed before I knew how to copy them). It's a shame that authors don't release software in the public domain, as shareware, or as freeware, when they *abandon* the platform the program was for. The best example I can cite is BASIC 8. Here lies one of the most sought-after titles for the 128, and nobody can seem to do anything with it, and it's a shame. John, I do agree with the statement about User Groups. The one I was in was that way, and I quit. :< And the debate goes on... ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 49 Fri Jul 08, 1994 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) Basic 8 was also one of the most pirated programs and I know at least one of the authors was very disappointed by it. That and all the other things that happened on the way with Basic 8 was probably why they just gave up on any more software. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 50 Tue Sep 13, 1994 R.HARRIS1 [Randy Harris] at 23:29 EDT Getting back to the spreadsheet... I own, but have never used the EPYX Microsoft Multiplan. It has both 64 and 128 80col. versions included. I've always used VIZASTAR (both 64 and 128 80col.versions) What I like about VIZASTAR is its speed and versatility. 100% M/L Works with everything: CMD stuff, IEEE stuff, geoCable, RS232 Easy to use menu. The biggest feature is the built in database, too! Passing data back and forth from spreadsheet to database is just what I can't live without! It is also programmable like Superbase. Has built in graphics to make incredible color pie,bar,3-D Multibar, & line graphs. Will print in color too! Although no longer available, :'( I was available to locate a couple copies of the 128 Version. This is one item I wish CMD could get the rights to, (or JBEE) and once again make it available. And since it requires both cartridge and disk, piracy is not a problem! But it can be booted from HD or RL! Randy Harris ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 51 Wed Sep 14, 1994 MRABOY at 19:38 EDT I have tried them both and multiplan is superior. It has more power. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 52 Fri Nov 04, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] at 21:58 EST HEY MAURICE RANDALL!!! This Question is for you concerning the software hack you described a few months ago for SWIFTCALC 128. I buffered your message at the time, and yesterday I tried your advice on how to make the program bootable from any device. You said, --------------------------buffered text------------------------------ M.RANDALL2 [Maurice] at 19:35 EDT OK, here's the scoop on how to make your SwiftCalc 128 compatible with any type of drive: First start by formatting a fresh disk, or partition on your CMD device. Then filecopy all of the files from your SwiftCalc disk to the new disk or partition. You must use a filecopier for this, not a whole disk copier. The next step is the trickiest part if you are not familiar with using a sector editor. If not, then you should learn how, because at least us Commodore users are allowed to mess with our disks and files unlike other systems. Anyway, find the directory entry for the file called 'scmain'. The directory will begin on the following tracks and sectors: 1541/1571 Track 18, Sector 1 1581 Track 40, Sector 3 CMD Ntv Track 1, Sector 34 Once you have found the directory entry, the two bytes just ahead of the filename is the track and sector pointer to the first block of this file. Load this block into your sector editor. Now all you have to do is change one byte and then resave this block. The byte to change is in position 44 (hex $2c), counting the first byte as position 0. Change this byte to a 63 (hex $3f). What this does is it causes SwiftCalc to ignore checking that it is booting from it's original disk. The original disk has a goofed up header block where the disk name is stored, a very simple copy protection. Now all you have to do is boot"sc" to get the program up and -------------------------------end------------------------------------- I tried this on a copy of the program. In fact a couple of times. And it didn't work for me. Could you double check the above quoted message for any mistakes and pass them along to me. I would be forever in your debt... (yeah, right) :) Thanks, Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 53 Sat Nov 05, 1994 C128.JBEE at 07:50 EST Just thought I would mention that the newest versions of Swiftcalc 128 could be file copied and booted from any type of device. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 54 Sat Nov 05, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] at 10:23 EST ANYBODY.... > Just thought I would mention that the newest versions of Swiftcalc 128 > could be file copied and booted from any type of device. Ok... ATTENTION SWITCALC 128 USERS.... I need help. I bought an older version of Swiftcalc 128. According to the Above quote from JBee The newer ones have no copy protection... Anybody who will let me send them my original swiftcalc 128 disk so they can put the unprotected program on it, I would be grateful. Might even send a couple bucks for the trouble. EMAIL B.MASSE Thanks BOB ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 55 Sat Nov 05, 1994 M.RANDALL2 [Maurice] at 20:05 EST Bob, I double checked my info, and at least on the copy of SwiftCalc that I have worked with and seen as being owned by at least 3 others, this method works on those disks. Some filecopy programs seem to have trouble copying the files from this disk however, so this might be part of your problem. The method I have found that works the best is to do the filecopying from GEOS. The goofed up directory header doesn't bother GEOS. It messes with the DOS in the drive which is not being used in the same manner anyway while using GEOS. So, after formatting a fresh disk, use either the Desktop, gateWay, or geoSHELL's ucopy command to copy all of the files over to the new disk. And then follow the instructions on changing the needed byte. Before doing the filecopying, you might want to use CMD's latest FCOPY program to copy the boot sector. This will at the same time allocate that sector on the disk. Because, unless it is a native partition, GEOS will beging filecopying at track 1 sector zero, right where the boot sector should be. If you try to create the boot sector after the filecopying is done, you will mess up one of the files. Give it another try. Maurice ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 56 Sun Nov 06, 1994 B.MASSE [BIG BOB] at 00:18 EST Maurice, I tried the Geos Trick. No go. Since I have used the program a little I don't like it that much anyway. I guess I will stick with Planners Choice. Its funny about programs for the Commodore, nowadays if it won't run out of the Ramlink it aint worth booting up. Thanks for responding. Bob ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 57 Mon Nov 07, 1994 C128.JBEE at 09:33 EST Bob, I second that opinion :-) ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 58 Wed Nov 09, 1994 MRABOY at 21:35 EST Get multiplan 128. Its the best there is. ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 59 Tue Nov 15, 1994 J.THOMPSO122 [JIMBOB51] at 20:17 EST Anyone I have a Swift Calc spread sheet for taxes if interested I will up load. Jimbob ;] ------------ Category 3, Topic 7 Message 60 Tue Dec 20, 1994 C128.JBEE at 04:01 EST > J.THOMPSO122 [JIMBOB51] > Anyone I have a Swift Calc spread sheet for taxes if > interested I will upload. I am interested in seeing how you implemented it . ------------